The reason i initialy asked is that i am teaching a freind to cast. Hes been reading up on the subject and hears all this **** about casting over 100 feet and this and that. I have told him that they are not using a floating fly line let alone a double taper and figured maybe more opinions that my own could convince him. So what is the proper measuring distance anyways...from the reel right?

The most i can put out with a 5dt is about the length of the line. Backing somwhere between the reel and first or second guide, but for me thats a double hauled hero cast and not something i would use on the stream. A long fishing cast for me is closer to 70 ft and even then its hard to set the hook way out there.

Once i get past 70 or so i have to open the stroke for length and haul/double haul. Cast quality and acuracy are FAR more important to me. I would much rather be maxed out at 60 and never get tailing loops or torn loops etc...